[18.4] rate-determining step

Question 1

what is a reaction mechanism?

Answer 1

the series of steps that make up an overall reaction

Question 2

what is the rate-determining step?

Answer 2

the slowest step in a multi-step reaction

Question 3

how do you know if a species takes part in the RDS or not?

Answer 3

• if the conc of a species appears in the rate equation, it (or something derived from it) takes part in the RDS
• if a reactant does not appear in the rate equation, then neither the reactant or anything derived from it participates in the RDS

Question 4

how do you know if a reaction mechanism is likely to be correct?

Answer 4

• rate equation only has reacting species involved in RDS
• orders in rate equation match number of species involved in RDS